Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed that he “grew up a lot” across the breadth of his maiden Formula 1 campaign, revealing support from Mercedes amid moments of self-doubt.
The 19-year-old has suffered many ups and downs across his maiden season, and immediately hit the ground running with a points finish in the opening race in Australia.
But across much of the European leg of the season, Antonelli suffered hugely with a dip in form, punctuated only by his first podium in Canada.
Despite some particularly low ebbs in both Spa and Monza, Antonelli bounced back with points in Baku, and out-performed team-mate George Russell in Brazil with second place in both the Sprint and Grand Prix.
Last time out in Las Vegas, Antonelli secured another top-three finish after McLarens’ double disqualification, having finished fifth [despite a five-second time penalty] from 17th on the grid.
Ahead of this weekend’s penultimate round in Qatar, Antonelli revealed to media including Motorsport Week how he has been on a journey of self-discovery, and how he and team have worked together to get the best of out him.
“There’s many things that I’ve learned in the season, but I’ve learned definitely what I understood a lot better about my needs on the track, off track, but as well on the mindset,” he said.
“I think having the right mindset before going into a session is crucial. Also, having the focus on the right things, on the important things, and not just focusing on the final results, but focusing on how to move together, and that means doing everything right, and a lot of other things.
“I grew up a lot during the season. I became more mature, especially overcoming the difficult moments really made me grow. Now I can handle situations better.
“Of course, there’s room for improvement, but we’re on a good trajectory so far.”
Mercedes suspension woes contributed to an Antonelli existential crisis
Antonelli’s dip in form coincided with the Mercedes team’s decision to adopt a new suspension package, which hindered the W16 car for the most part.
The Brackley-based squad admitted at the time that the upgrade was culpable in how Antonelli’s performances took a significant drop, something the Italian corroborated.
“I think since we went on the new suspension, I struggled quite a lot, especially to adapt,” he said. “George, on the other hand, despite we lost performance with the new suspension, George was able to adapt. And I struggled quite a lot more.
“And I just entered this negative spiral where it felt like it just kept getting worse and worse. Frustration was just getting over. And, you know, I think my darkest moment was probably Spa [in which he spun out in qualifying and finished the race 16th], and definitely I’ve been doubting myself a lot because obviously seeing the results not coming, then you just start to ask yourself if you’re good enough. And so, it wasn’t easy.
“But then, that’s why also I did a big meeting with the team after Monza. And I did a big reset mentally and just tried to refocus on the important stuff on the process.
“And that really helped, and that was a big learning as well.”
Team Principal Toto Wolff previously admitted that Antonelli has been placed under an enormous amount of pressure by being so young in what is one of the sport’s top teams.
Asked by Motorsport Week if he feels that the right balance has been struck to mitigate that pressure, Antonelli agreed that the German marque’s heirarchy has done what it can to help him through his difficult period.
“For sure,” he said. “Definitely being in a top team straight away it means you’re under the spotlight a lot more andevery little action mistakes that you do it’s more it’s all more seen.
“And so definitely it’s been especially in a difficult period, it’s been tough, but together with the team, the team has never stopped supporting me and eventually we’re able to overcome the difficult moment and to start building momentum of course.
“Now also with the experience I’m making I’m also telling them my needs with the car and everything so definitely also they’re helping me on that side too and we’re just building momentum and there’s already dynamic in the team between me and George and we’ve been working together really well and that’s why I’m really looking forward to these next two races and then into next season.”
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